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Police use teargas and rubber bullets on Thai protesters

Thailand’s largely peaceful anti-government protests have become violent, with demonstrators clashing with police in Bangkok.

Demonstrators are trying to disrupt preparations for elections set for February 2.

After two weeks of relatively calm protests in the Thai capital, police used rubber bullets and teargas. Police say they have been shot at by protesters and five officers have been wounded.

Protesters, mainly from the south, middle classes and elite are demanding Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign and accusing her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, of being the one really in control. Both Shinawatras draw their support from the millions of poor people in the north and northeast.